Gabriel Magalhaes: Did Manchester United dodge a bullet with the Arsenal signing?

With the transfer window in full swing, Arsenal fans have received one more reason to be happy.

According to top transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have won the race to lure Gabriel Magalhaes from LOSC Lille to the Emirates. The player is set to sign a five-year contract with the Gunners, earning a wage close to £40,000-per-week.

There were a few rumors that Gabriel Magalhaes rejected Manchester United to sign for Arsenal despite the club offering higher wages. Though there might not be any surety regarding the claims, Manchester United might have dodged a bullet by not signing the Lille defender.

Manchester United are looking for a strong left-footed center back to partner Harry Maguire. Victor Lindelof has handled the mantle perfectly alongside Aaron Wan Bissaka and Luke Shaw/Brandon Williams, but fans are demanding a center back be added.

Lindelof has looked soft and kind as a defender at Old Trafford despite putting in some strong performances in a United jersey. Ole’s side has been rumored with a plethora of defenders and Gabriel Magalhaes was one of them.

Solskjaer has plenty to pick from

In one of the press conferences, Solskjaer iterated that he has seven defenders at his disposal and can pick anyone from the lot in case of an injury to the Swedish or England international. Manchester United are spoilt with defensive riches who have Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, and Eric Bailly as their senior defenders.

They also have Chris Smalling, Axel Tuanzebe, and Timothy Fosu Mensah in the ranks. Before they have to add someone new to their roster, the club has to sell a few. Comparing the likes of Manchester United’s current defenders, Gabriel Magalhaes wouldn’t have been a great addition to the side despite the Lille defender being 22 years old.

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For the Red Devils, Lindelof has missed just three games in the 2019/20 season and has featured in 35 top-flight games. In those fixtures, he has an aerial duel success percentage of 65.75% whereas Gabriel has 64.84%. When comparing the same parameter with that of Chris Smalling who spent a loan spell in Italy, he has an aerial duel percentage of 70.37%.

In terms of take-ons completed, the Lille defender pegs back. He has completed two take-ons whereas Lindelof has three and Smalling has seven. The stats remains in the favour of Manchester United’s defenders in terms of blocks and interceptions too.

In terms of tackles made, Gabriel Magalhaes wins the race. He has 41 successful tackles to his name whereas Victor has 29 and Smalling has 25 tackles to theirs.

Benoit Badiashile links

The Old Trafford outfit is rumored with the talented AS Monaco teenager, Benoit Badiashile. The 19-year-old has played 1413 minutes in Ligue 1 and has better metrics compared to that of Gabriel of Lille.

In fewer minutes compared to that of Magalhaes, Badiashile has better stats in terms of interceptions and take-ons completed. The left-footed defender has a towering presence as he is 6’4″ which gives him the advantage to win aerial duels. Benoit Badiashile is a more composed and disciplined player on the pitch as he has no yellow cards to his name in Ligue 1.

It is unfair to compare the players of three different leagues. It is safer to say that Gabriel Magalhaes wouldn’t have been a great addition to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side. The same money can be used to sign a younger and more talented player like Benoit Badiashile if United are looking to strengthen their defense.